Most efficient way to create a frame for eye glasses?
Yes, the fastest way would be to use beveled curve. Here's a simple one using only curve with a Mirror modifier:



Cyclic property of the curve splines that form each lenses' rim is toggled on, and the frame's width can be varied by Alt-S on selected control point. To some extent, the frame's shape can be further modified by using taper and bevel object:



Note that both objects affect the appearance of all splines within the curve. Modifying just part of the curve will require that part to be separated as a new curve object.

Handle Part

Modeling the glasses' handle can be done manually as the others' answers, or by using a Curve modifier on the handle's mesh object: 



You may get lesser control than by shaping it manually. But using this method, you can quickly adjust the handle's curvature by editing the curve, editing the mesh itself mostly to control the shape along its length: